Paul Ladewski

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The Raiders offense struggle to put points on the board against a stout Bills defense, but Oakland’s coaching staff shares much of the blame for the team’s poor showing. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Plenty of blame to go around for Raiders’ lost season

In what could and should be their final season in Oakland, the…

The Raiders offense struggle to put points on the board against a stout Bills defense, but Oakland’s coaching staff shares much of the blame for the team’s poor showing. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Whether your favorite team was in first place or last, Balls was there with a dose of reality. (All: Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

That’s Balls, folks

The A’s finished in last place. The Giants finished in last place.…

Whether your favorite team was in first place or last, Balls was there with a dose of reality. (All: Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
If there’s anyone who can unseat Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls as the Greatest Of All Time, it Jordan’s former teammate, Steve Kerr, and his Golden State Warriors, led by two-time MVP Steph Curry. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

What can Warriors do next? How ’bout 33 in a row?

The Warriors’ season isn’t about the Houston Rockets or the Cleveland Cavaliers…

If there’s anyone who can unseat Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls as the Greatest Of All Time, it Jordan’s former teammate, Steve Kerr, and his Golden State Warriors, led by two-time MVP Steph Curry. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott left the 49ers in his dust the entire game on Sunday. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)

Who are these imposters playing in the 49ers’ jerseys?

After the Niners In Name Only lost five games by a combined…

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott left the 49ers in his dust the entire game on Sunday. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)
The Raiders have big problems all over the field. Derek Carr’s contract hurts their ability to address them. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Raiders are a Carr wreck in more ways than one

The Raiders have lost four consecutive games — make it five if…

The Raiders have big problems all over the field. Derek Carr’s contract hurts their ability to address them. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Pierre Garcon played against his old team on Sunday and was in the middle of the game-losing play for the 49ers. (Courtesy Keith Allison/Flickr)

49ers make change at quarterback to once again lose by small margin

Santa Clara lost another football game on Sunday, but in the big…

Pierre Garcon played against his old team on Sunday and was in the middle of the game-losing play for the 49ers. (Courtesy Keith Allison/Flickr)
Things have gotten ugly for the Raiders lately — both on and off the field. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Home-wreckin’ Raiders should just leave, baby

This was supposed to be a Super season for the Raiders and…

Things have gotten ugly for the Raiders lately — both on and off the field. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Brian Hoyer couldn’t lead the 49ers to a victory against a bad Indianapolis Colts defense. But at least they broke their streak of consecutive possessions without a touchdown in the contest. (Sam Riche/TNS)

Would Santa Clara be 3-2 with a real quarterback?

General manager John Lynch can blow hot air about player development all…

Brian Hoyer couldn’t lead the 49ers to a victory against a bad Indianapolis Colts defense. But at least they broke their streak of consecutive possessions without a touchdown in the contest. (Sam Riche/TNS)
Brent Burns and the San Jose Sharks are back, thank goodness. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Hockey is back — and not a puck-drop too soon

Tired of politics with your sports, Bubba? The endless off-the-field problems?  In…

Brent Burns and the San Jose Sharks are back, thank goodness. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)
It’s been hard to watch Brian Hoyer lead the 49ers’ offense this season, but his coaches are in no rush to replace him with a rookie. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Is there no end to Hoyer’s horror show?

The Santa Clara semi-pro team did the unthinkable in Arizona on Sunday.…

It’s been hard to watch Brian Hoyer lead the 49ers’ offense this season, but his coaches are in no rush to replace him with a rookie. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Derek Carr, seen here in Week 3, was forced to leave Sunday's game with a back injury. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Raiders’ season on the brink already

As a public service to the millions who tuned out of the…

Derek Carr, seen here in Week 3, was forced to leave Sunday's game with a back injury. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
After flying high the week before, Michael Crabtree, left, Amari Cooper, right, and the rest of the Oakland Raiders got a rude awakening on Sunday. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

On strange Sunday, Raiders get what they need

It’s too early to say that it was the end of the…

After flying high the week before, Michael Crabtree, left, Amari Cooper, right, and the rest of the Oakland Raiders got a rude awakening on Sunday. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff looks for an open receiver against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Jared Goff comes home again — older, wiser, better

Former Cal golden boy Jared Goff will play in the first nationally…

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff looks for an open receiver against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Matt Breida, pictured center in 2017, had a big day running the ball for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 home opener. (Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/TNS)

Paging C.J. Beathard: Your first-team snaps are ready!

In two games with Tryin’ Brian Hoyer at the controls, the Santa…

Matt Breida, pictured center in 2017, had a big day running the ball for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 home opener. (Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/TNS)
Raiders fans have earned the season they’re about to enjoy. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Raiders Nation deserves to go out with a bang

The Raiders abused a hideous team called the New York Jets on…

Raiders fans have earned the season they’re about to enjoy. (Mira Laing/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The Oakland Athletics signed 26 of their 39 draft picks. (Ken Lambert/Seattle Times/TNS)

Indians’ streak hit 21, and A’s just can’t win

Know when you’ve had a really bad season? When you don’t play…

The Oakland Athletics signed 26 of their 39 draft picks. (Ken Lambert/Seattle Times/TNS)
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stiff-arms Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during a run late in the second quarter of Dallas’ 19-3 win against New York on Sunday. (Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Goff, Prescott, Watson shine while Santa Clara pines

Quarterback Jared Goff turned in a 117.9 rating and zero turnovers in…

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stiff-arms Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during a run late in the second quarter of Dallas’ 19-3 win against New York on Sunday. (Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News/TNS)
Marshawn Lynch can expect to see a fine of $12,000 for flipping off the cameras on Sunday. (Courtesy Raiders/Twitter)

Raiders find their swagger, and it’s called Beast Mode

There was a lot for Las Vegas to like about their Raiders…

Marshawn Lynch can expect to see a fine of $12,000 for flipping off the cameras on Sunday. (Courtesy Raiders/Twitter)
Sure, the NFL is playing games again, but that's not what anyone is talking about. (Bob Booth/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)

Are you ready for (anything except) some football?

You waited 214 days for the start of the NFL season, Sluggo.…

Sure, the NFL is playing games again, but that's not what anyone is talking about. (Bob Booth/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)
Madison Bumgarner pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in September of 2017. He won his first game since returning from injury on Thursday. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Giants can’t kid themselves — they’re old and bad

It doesn’t seem that long ago when Giants apologists tried to blame…

Madison Bumgarner pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in September of 2017. He won his first game since returning from injury on Thursday. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)